Jacksonville Jaguar cornerback Jalen Ramsey doesn’t care what you think of him. Just ask him. He told ESPN, “I don’t really care what people think about me.”
It’s a theme he returns to often. During the preseason he criticized a number of NFL players
including the league’s top quarterbacks. When informed his criticism might not be taken
seriously he said, “I don’t care.”
To listen to him one would believe Jalen Ramsey is the most punk rock player in the NFL.
The problem is it’s hogwash. In fact, he may be one of the most hypersensitive player in the league.
During his first year in the NFL he cried on the sidelines when the team lost another game in a bad season.
After giving up 29 points to the Colts in the first half of a losing effort Ramsey tweeted about his
plans to jump ship, “When I’m gone from here, y’all gone miss me. I ain’t even trippin lol.”
Three days later he lambasted the fans and media for abandoning the team, “If you all want to
jump ship, it is what it is.”
Jacksonville’s world-caliber defense of last year has been playing poorly this year. They reached
rock bottom against the Indianapolis Colts. Tight end Eric Ebron scored three times in the first
half including two touchdown receptions when defensive coverage completely broke down.
Former players and Jaguar radio commentators, Tony Boselli and Jeff Lageman, called the
defensive failures “embarrassing.”
Ramsey continued to complain about his treatment by the press and fans in the week after the Colts loss. He explained again that when the team turned around their recent misfortune, he would jump ship, “But you all are going to miss us when we are either gone or when stuff back pops and
we don’t want you all anymore.”
To Ramsey, there has never been a problem with the Jaguars team or players. Rather, the media
is to blame for the team’s woes. After a pre-season skirmish among Jaguar’s players was publicized,
Ramsey tweeted a reporter, “you know you done messed up right?” He warned,
“(I)f y’all want war, we got sum for y’all.”
To date, Ramsey’s career has survived his mouth. He is the most talented Jaguar and may be the best
defensive back in the NFL.
He had two interceptions and eight tackles in the team’s losing effort against the Pittsburgh
Steelers. His two interceptions were dynamic plays, that displayed his intelligence
and superior athleticism.
Prior to this year the team likely planned their future around Ramsey. His rookie contract ends
after the next season and he could become the most highly compensated defensive player in the
league.
Over the last six months, as Ramsey’s outbursts increased, the team may have recalculated its
future.
The Florida Squeeze 